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NIU sets NCAA record in poor shooting game

1/27/2013 3:00:00 AM

By Jeff Leon

Glenn Bryant had 10 points and three blocks,as the Eastern Michigan Eagles notched a 42-25 win over the Northern IllinoisHuskies in a defensive slugfest between Mid-American Conference rivals at theConvocation Center.

Bryant was the game's only double-digit scorer, as the Eagles (10-10, 3-3 MAC)used a staunch defensive effort to improve to 10-2 at home this season. The 25points allowed is EMU's lowest total since a 61-21 win over Hillsdale Collegeon Jan. 21, 1943.

The Huskies (4-14, 2-4) were held to a NCAA record-low four points athalftime. The 2008 Savannah Tigers are the only other team in the modern erato score just four points in any half.

EMU led 18-4 at halftime, as the Huskies could muster only one field goal inthe opening frame. NIU shot a brutal 1-of-31 from the floor for a 3.2-percentsuccess rate.

The Huskies missed 36 consecutive shots from the 18:05 mark of the first halfto the 14:27 mark of the second half. By then, EMU held a comfortable 23-7lead and maintained a double-digit cushion the rest of the way.

For the game, the Huskies shot just 8-of-61 from the floor (.131) and 1-of-33from beyond the arc (.003) to tie the lowest field-goal percentage in NCAAhistory since the beginning of the shot clock era in 1986.

Chicago Sports

Emeka Okafor scored 15 points and pulled down 16 rebounds to lead Washington past the Chicago Bulls, 86-73. The resurgent Wizards have won seven of their last 10 games and moved to 11-and-31 with five straight wins at home. Nene scored 16 points and John Wall added 15 points for the Wizards. The Bulls shot just 41-percent and had only one player score in double figures. That was Nate Robinson with 19 points and Joakim Noah almost recorded a triple-double with nine points, 17 rebounds and a career-high tying 10 assists. The Bulls fell to 26-and-17 and had won six of seven games entering Saturday's contest.

The Bulls are at home Monday against Charlotte. WRHL's Pre-Game Show begins at 6:30 on Newstalk 1060.

Jonathan Toews' third-period goal proved to be the difference as the Blackhawks defeated the Blue Jackets, 3-2. Brian Bickell and Dave Bolland also lit the lamp while Patrick Kane had two assists for Chicago. Corey Crawford made 24 saves as the 'Hawks improved to 5-and-0 on the year. Mark Letestu scored early for Columbus and Artem Anisimov added a late tally. Steve Mason halted 21 shots for the Jackets, who fell to 1-3-and-1.